LOS ANGELES – Blake Griffin was getting manhandled when his pogo sticks were in good working order, so one can only imagine what it means that the Los Angeles Clippers high-flyer may not play in Game 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday because of a severe right ankle sprain.

The Clippers, who won their first Pacific Division title this season and finished 56-26 in the regular season, are in serious trouble after falling 103-93 in Game 5 at Staples Center on Tuesday night.

Griffin sprained the ankle in practice on Monday, then suffered through 19 minutes of action in the loss that gave them a 3-2 series deficit before coming out for the night midway through the third quarter.

The toughest of lessons for Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro & Co. came soon thereafter, when point guard Chris Paul finished his 35-point outing and it became abundantly clear that even the most marvelous of performances couldn't make up for the enormous void left by Griffin.

"I felt good enough at the beginning of the game today, but it got worse as time went on," Griffin said. "So hopefully with two days of rest and two days of treatment I will be ready."

Griffin was already on the wrong side of this fight, allowing Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph to average 25.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in the last three games while averaging just 14 points (44.1% shooting) and six rebounds per game for the series. And now, the Clippers could be without him for a Game 6 that takes place in the same FedEx Forum that the Grizzlies are 34-9 in the regular season and postseason.

"It is tough, but I think we can pull through," Paul said. "Lamar (Odom) did a great job stepping up in Blake's spot. It has to be about committee. You cannot replace Blake with one person."